Are you watching the ‘Squid Game’ series on Netflix? The old man in the series calls the lead character his ‘gganbu,’ but what does it mean?
This post unpacks everything you need to know about this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘gganbu’ comes from the hit 2021 TV series, ‘Squid Game,’ released on Netflix.
The series aired in Korean, with English subtitles available for international audiences. During the series, the lead character develops relationships with a handful of the other players in the Squid Game.
One of the characters is an old man who calls the lead character ‘gganbu.’ He says he would call his childhood playmate his ‘gganbu,’ as a respectful reference. While the word sounds authentic, it’s actually not a genuine Korean word and has no meaning in Korean. It is also not a slang word in the language.
The phrase doesn’t have much use outside of the series, as it’s not a real word. The decline in the series' popularity also means you’re less likely to encounter it online.
Example Usage
“You’re my gganbu. I trust you above everyone else in my life, and it’s me and you to the end, my friend.”
“If someone is your gganbu, they are your best friend, and you trust them with your life. It’s a way of describing your connection to your best friends when you were young.”
“If you’re my gganbu, why are you plotting against me with my enemies? You’re supposed to be the one person I can trust in life, and you betray me like this.”
“Gganbu is supposedly a Korean word for ‘best friend.’ The thing is, no Koreans know what the word means. It’s like they made it up for the series or something.”
Origin
The term ‘gganbu’ originates from the hit series ‘Squid Game,’ released by Netflix in 2021. The series revolves around a game where contestants play for a chance to win millions but pay for it with their lives when they lose.
The lead character develops a relationship with an old man during the series. The two become close, looking out for each other during the games. The old man refers to the younger as his ‘gganbu,’ explaining it’s a term he used to call his best friend when he was young.
The term became popular in 2021 during the release of the ‘Squid game’ series. However, it’s not an official Korean word or slang reference, and it has no utility outside the series.
Phrases Similar to Gganbu
- Friend.
- Bestie.
- Homeboy.
Phrases Opposite to Gganbu
- Enemy.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Gganbu
Ways People May Say Gganbu Incorrectly
Some people may assume that 'gganbu' is a Korean word or reference. However, researchers state that no such word exists in the Korean language. It's also not a slang term used by any community in the Korean Peninsula. People in Korea won't understand what you're saying when using the word.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Gganbu
You can use the term 'gganbu' when referencing the smash-hit Netflix series, "Squid Game." Since 'gganbu' has no official meaning in Korean, and it's not a word from the Korean language, it doesn't have any meaning other than as it appears in the Squid Game series.
So, you can use 'gganbu' to refer to your best friend. It's a way of telling someone they are the closest person to you in your life, and you trust them. The phrase would usually apply to teenagers that are 'besties.' It suits social interactions on social media, text messages, and face-to-face interactions.